Melissa Busekros: Home at last

Melissa Busekros, a home-schooled teenage girl from Germany came back home early this morning. Melissa had been forcibly separated from her family 3 months ago by the "Jugendamt" (youth welfare office). Now she's back - not because the officials admitted they were wrong, but because Melissa has turned 16. At this age the German law gives her far more rights to determine her own custody. Melissa acted right away. She left a goodbye note to her foster family and headed home. At 3AM Melissa was at her doorstep in Erlangen - to the astonishment of her family.


Her ordeal may not be over yet. The "Jugendamt" (which kept claiming that Melissa is happy in state custody) may retaliate. Melissa, now aware of her rights is prepared to refuse to leave home if the police is there to seize her again. Her attorney, Dr. Hildebrandt is there to prepare the family for such visits. But today is Melissa's birthday and she is back home to celebrate it with her family. At last, her empty seat at the dinner table is filled.

All I can wish Melissa is that she'll never again be separated from her loved ones.